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“We answer as we have frequently done before in the Dawns and Towers and orally and by letter, that we have never claimed our calculations to be infallibly correct; we have never claimed that they were knowledge, nor based upon indisputable evidence, facts, knowledge; our claim has always been that they are based on faith.”. “Possibly some who have read the Dawns have presented our conclusions more strongly than we do; but if so that is their own responsibility.” Oct 1, 1907 WT pg. 4067
Again look how clear the WT tries to make it; “we have never claimed our calculations to be infallibly correct ... never claimed that they were knowledge”. Note ‘knowledge’ is in quotation marks in the WT indicating they were not claiming inspired knowledge. They simply are presenting their “conclusions”. They obviously had problems with people misquoting them in the past as they say of those who present the position more strongly than the WT; “that is their own responsibility”.
Did they really accept that their chronology could be wrong? Yes, consider further in that issue;
“Would not that prove our chronology wrong? Yes, surely! ... What a blow that would be! One of the strings on our ‘harp’ would be broken! However dear friends our harp would still have all the other strings... If therefore, dearly beloved, it should turn out that our chronology is all wrong, we would conclude that with it we have had much advantage everyway." Oct 1, 1907 pg. 4067
Again and again they refer to it as “our” chronology not God’s. They are not prophesying but simply giving their understanding to the best of their abilities. It seems strange that those like Mr. Rhodes, who claim to have studied this issue thoroughly, have missed these statements.
Lets consider a comment from a 1908 WT, to see if this attitude continues to be reflected in the pages of the WT.
“We are not prophesying; we are merely giving our surmises, the scriptural basis for which is already in the hands of our readers in the six volumes of Scripture Studies. We do not even aver that there is no mistake in our interpretation of prophecy and our calculations of chronology. We have merely laid these before you, leaving it for each to exercise his own faith or doubt in respect to them; but showing our own faith by our works.” January 1, 1908 WT pg. 4110 (Emphasis added)
Note the words “We are not prophesying”. How much plainer can you be? They try to reinforce that they are not claiming this is from God by the words, “We do not even aver that there is no mistake in our interpretation of prophecy and our calculations of chronology.” This last statement is especially critical as they plainly demonstrate that the WT was not claiming that there beliefs were based on new inspired information from god, rather from existing prophecy found in Scripture, that they were simply giving their interpretation of.
A short while later these words are found.
“But we remind our readers again, that we have not prophesiedanything about the Times of the gentiles closing in a time of trouble nor about the glorious epoch which will shortly follow that catastrophe. We have merely pointed out what the Scriptures say, giving our views respecting their meaning and asking our readers to judge, each for himself what they signify.” Dec 1, 1912 WT pg. 5142
What about 1925 and a teaching related to that date? Some apparently believed that the Prophets of old would return and a house for them to live in was purchased. Obviously this didn’t happen. Why did some believe and teach this? They simply misunderstood Scripture. Does that mean they are not God’s servants or false prophets? If so what did that make the 1st century Christians?
KJV John 21:23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
They were wrong, but that did not make them false Prophets of God. How many times did Jesus’ disciples, while he was on earth misunderstand Jesus’ teachings? Consider the view, a wrong view, which the disciples had about the Kingdom.
NIV Acts 1:6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
They did not appreciate that the time for God’s Kingdom to come, was far in the future and would be an earth wide Kingdom not simply one in Israel. Yet from Jesus words in Matt 24:36 they should have understood that they were not to know the time. In addition Jesus’ words in Matt 6:9-10 should have let them know the Kingdom was to be earth wide.
NAS Matthew 24:36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, butthe Father alone.
KJV Matt 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are no different today as we look with great expectation for the end of this system and the establishment of God’s Messianic Kingdom over the entire earth. That desire coupled with keeping the day close in mind can bring unrealized expectations. Yet that is not uncommon as w see from the views of the Apostles and the other 1st century Christians.
ALL SCRIPTURE IS INSPIRED PG. 286-7, Study Number 3-Measuring Events in the Stream of Time.
13 Of what significance is this today? The first edition of this book, published in 1963, stated: “Does this mean, then, that by 1963 we had progressed 5,988 years into the ‘day’ on which Jehovah ‘has been resting from all his work’? (Gen. 2:3) No, for the creation of Adam does not correspond with the beginning of Jehovah’s rest day. Following Adam’s creation, and still within the sixth creative day, Jehovah appears to have been forming further animal and bird creations. Also, he had Adam name the animals, which would take some time, and he proceeded to create Eve. (Gen. 2:18-22; see also NW, 1953 Ed., footnote on ÞGe 2 Üvs. 19) Whatever time elapsed between Adam’s creation and the end of the ‘sixth day’ must be subtracted from the 5,988 years in order to give the actual length of time from the beginning of the ‘seventh day’ until [1963]. It does no good to use Bible chronology for speculating on dates that are still future in the stream of time.—Matt. 24:36.”
However many did look to 1975 as well as other dates. How have some who did so, responded when they found themselves to be wrong? Consider A.H. Macmillan who was associated prior to 1914.
1995 Awake 6/22 8-9 Can You Trust God's Promises?
Prior to the latter part of the year 1914, many Christians expected Christ to return at that time and to take them away to heaven. Thus, in a discourse given on September 30, 1914, A. H. Macmillan, a Bible Student, stated: “This is probably the last public address I shall ever deliver because we shall be going home [to heaven] soon.” Clearly, Macmillan was mistaken, but that was not the only unfulfilled expectation he or his fellow Bible Students had.
At the convention held in Baltimore, Maryland, F. W. Franz gave the concluding talk. He began by saying:
“Just before I got on the platform a young man came to me and said, ‘Say, what does this 1975 mean?’” Brother Franz then referred to the many questions that had arisen as to whether the material in the new book meant that by 1975 Armageddon would be finished, and Satan would be bound. He stated, in essence: ‘It could. But we are not saying. All things are possible with God. But we are not saying. And don’t any of you be specific in saying anything that is going to happen between now and 1975. But the big point of it all is this, dear friends: Time is short. Time is running out, no question about that.’
1914 "There is absolutely no ground for Bible students to question that the consummation of this Gospel age is now even at the door, and that it will end as the Scriptures foretell in a great time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. We see the participants in this great crisis banding themselves together… The great crisis, the great clash, symbolically represented as a fire, that will consume the ecclesiastical heavens and the social earth, is very near." (Watchtower Reprints, VI, May 1, 1914, p. 5450)
Did words such as these give the impression that the end is a few months or years away? Did Nathan H. Knorr a President of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society mean that the end was just a few “months” away when he used those terms when introducing a book for children, in the early 1940”? Consider the words of the Apostle John:
NIV 1 John 2:18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
I will just say this DONT MISS THE WOOD FOR THE TREES.
We are living in the last days or not? Yes
Things are getting worse? Yes
People have no where to turn? Right
Jesus said HIS DAY would come like a thief in the night.
So dont be like the Pharisees who measured out the dill and the mint (literally weeds ) and missed the mercy, justice and faithfulness.
The nit picking is what Jesus condemned when he spoke of the rafter you need to pull out when the other person has a straw in their eye.
Look beyond the dates you are distracted by look.around smell the roses. LIVES AT STAKE IF NOT YOURS SOMEONES ELSES are you saving lives or to hung up to see the DANGER you are in? REMEMBER THE WIFE OF LOT
I will just say this DONT MISS THE WOOD FOR THE TREES.
We are living in the last days or not? Yes
Things are getting worse? Yes
People have no where to turn? Right
Jesus said HIS DAY would come like a thief in the night.
So dont be like the Pharisees who measured out the dill and the mint (literally weeds ) and missed the mercy, justice and faithfulness.
The nit picking is what Jesus condemned when he spoke of the rafter you need to pull out when the other person has a straw in their eye.
Look beyond the dates you are distracted by look.around smell the roses. LIVES AT STAKE IF NOT YOURS SOMEONES ELSES are you saving lives or to hung up to see the DANGER you are in? REMEMBER THE WIFE OF LOT
And several of their key false prophecies have been conveniently left out of the search engine on their website.
A false prophecy = making up something all by oneself that isn't true.--- Harmageddon--a real life prophecy made by God--the only error was trying to put a date on it, it was not a false prophecy--the darkness calls it that. People with little understanding cannot see that it was actually a good thing that occurred--all the fake JW,s left. God has no need for the fakes to be involved. They could only drag others down if allowed. All can see what the fakes are in reality--they promise God in their heart to serve him the rest of their days, yet let little things enter their hearts to falsely reason against God. Then some even write books to try and drag down others because of their false reasonings. I read many of the books. there wasn't one that didn't contain lies.
Only those who couldn't be bothered to learn every teaching from Jesus and apply them stand in opposition to the JW,s. Jesus truths prove the JW,s are correct--like this ultra important teaching.
Matthew 6:33-- Therefore, keep on seeking-FIRST- the kingdom and his( Jehovah) righteousness and all these other things will be added to you( sustenance, covering, spirituality)
The followers of this world, that Jesus taught to be no part of seek--higher education for a better paying job--which in reality interferes with the seeking of Gods kingdom first in ones life. Most seek $$ and pleasure-first. Govts and false religion is dividing mankind into --hatred. Into killing. both aspects are the spirit of antichrist.
A false prophecy = making up something all by oneself that isn't true.--- Harmageddon--a real life prophecy made by God--the only error was trying to put a date on it, it was not a false prophecy--the darkness calls it that. People with little understanding cannot see that it was actually a good thing that occurred--all the fake JW,s left. God has no need for the fakes to be involved. They could only drag others down if allowed. All can see what the fakes are in reality--they promise God in their heart to serve him the rest of their days, yet let little things enter their hearts to falsely reason against God. Then some even write books to try and drag down others because of their false reasonings. I read many of the books. there wasn't one that didn't contain lies.
Only those who couldn't be bothered to learn every teaching from Jesus and apply them stand in opposition to the JW,s. Jesus truths prove the JW,s are correct--like this ultra important teaching.
Matthew 6:33-- Therefore, keep on seeking-FIRST- the kingdom and his( Jehovah) righteousness and all these other things will be added to you( sustenance, covering, spirituality)
The followers of this world, that Jesus taught to be no part of seek--higher education for a better paying job--which in reality interferes with the seeking of Gods kingdom first in ones life. Most seek $$ and pleasure-first. Govts and false religion is dividing mankind into --hatred. Into killing. both aspects are the spirit of antichrist.
They have to call it "prophecy" to diss Jehovah's Witnesses. Since from the very beginning they said it wasn't prophecy, it does show they do not care if they use false words about Jehovah's Witnesses.
That of course destroys their credibility when attacking Jehovah's Witnesses.
I know they won't, but at least non-JW's who may be reading this will see just how manipulative the JW religion is, and hopefully steer clear of it.
I agree but this is a vast understatement. The cult IMO is destructive. You can see how they are mind controlled by the leaders. They destroy families and marriages and even children are encouraged to abandon parents if the parent is not a JW. Its a horrible religion that is only akin to Scientology and Islam for being destructive.
I agree but this is a vast understatement. The cult IMO is destructive. You can see how they are mind controlled by the leaders. They destroy families and marriages and even children are encouraged to abandon parents if the parent is not a JW. Its a horrible religion that is only akin to Scientology and Islam for being destructive.
In which world is this? the world of darkness? Every JW I know, uses their free will to listen to the JW teachers. There is no mind control, except in the doing of Gods will. Yes we are slaves to God and his will. The JW,s do not destroy families--certain family members that choose sin, destroy it--- You should try believing Jesus- Matt 10:34-36) instead of bigots who have no truth in them.
NO the JW,s are not told to abandon parents if not a JW,, that is pure lie.
In which world is this? the world of darkness? Every JW I know, uses their free will to listen to the JW teachers. There is no mind control, except in the doing of Gods will. Yes we are slaves to God and his will. The JW,s do not destroy families--certain family members that choose sin, destroy it--- You should try believing Jesus- Matt 10:34-36) instead of bigots who have no truth in them.
NO the JW,s are not told to abandon parents if not a JW,, that is pure lie.
Notice the opposers cannot address doctrinal issues from the Bible? Just twisted accusations.
I agree but this is a vast understatement. The cult IMO is destructive. You can see how they are mind controlled by the leaders. They destroy families and marriages and even children are encouraged to abandon parents if the parent is not a JW. Its a horrible religion that is only akin to Scientology and Islam for being destructive.
If you want to know what a Catholic believes wouldn't you go to a Catholic ?
If you want to know what a Buddhist believes wouldn't you go to a Buddhist ?
So, why Not go to a Jehovah's Witness to know what they believe - www.jw.org
Notice the opposers cannot address doctrinal issues from the Bible? Just twisted accusations.
Dude! You saw me say how this wasn't about doctrine. Why would an atheist argue if bird is the word or if the word was a bird anyway? Everybody knows that the bird is the word. This isn't about what you believe it is about the level of control the Watchtower exerts over it's membership.
Since you brought it up though something I always thought was weird is how Jesus was only the mediator for the anointed and not the great crowd. Every memorial we were to pass the emblems without partaking. It always felt like I was being asked to reject Christs sacrifice and thereby reject Christ himself. Why should I listen to 7 men in Brooklyn when they tell me Christ does not mediate for me and only they can? It's no wonder I never felt grace until i figured out these men where full of crap.
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